Excellent new publication:

Addressing misconceptions about #BiologicalWeapons and #ChemicalWeapons and related legal frameworks

by VERTIC (#Verification Research, Training and Information Centre - https://www.vertic.org/)

21 common misconceptions organised in 3 categories that may affect how you view the Chemical Weapons Convention #CWC and Biological Weapons Convention #1972BWC

https://www.vertic.org/2023/01/new-publication-addressing-misconceptions-about-biological-and-chemical-weapons-and-related-legal-frameworks/

For those who haven't attended a #BWCRevCon, there is a norm requiring all speakers discussing the #1972BWC to mention that it is "the first disarmament treaty to ban an entire class of weapons."

Going forward, we need to move beyond norms to make this a binding requirement!

One noteworthy point across many, many speakers at the #BWCRevCon
and related #1972BWC events is an emphasis on balancing need to restrict dual-use and bioweapons work with the promise of future biotechnology.

Fantastic opening statement from US Undersecretary @Jenkinsbd of @USAmbCD this morning about the need to support the inexpensive but critical work of the #1972BWC at the #BWCRevCon today, and need to see its work expanded.

...and in light of twitter rules about not spreading misinformation, I'm not going to repeat anything the Russian delegation is saying in their reply.

#1972BWC #BWCRevCon

...and I spoke too soon!

The chair just said that Algeria will have the last statement, because 2 countries have asked for a right-of-reply before we end for the day. (I wonder who the second one was?)

#1972BWC #BWCRevCon

Happy to report that nothing surprising or exciting has happened in the last hour an a half of statements- just states reiterating importance of BWC and need for new widely discussed ideas proposed in the 29 non-Russian working papers. https://meetings.unoda.org/bwc-revcon/biological-weapons-convention-ninth-review-conference-2022

#1972BWC #BWCRevCon

Czechia follows suit with criticizing Russia's invasion of Ukraine and their CBRN threats...

...and manages to get almost 30 seconds in before Russia raises a completely new different of order! (I'm joking, of course - it's the same old 16.2 objection.)

#BWCRevCon #1972BWC

Georgia now continues its statement, including condemning Russia for disinformation, bringing up their threat of using CBRN weapons, and referencing Russian threats to Ukraine involving possible violations of #1972BWC, which plausibly addresses Russia's objection re: relevance.

The chair says he has already ruled, and repeated that countries may complete their statements, but should ensure their comments are relevant.

Georgia continued a few more words - and Russia interrupts again, and objects to politicizing the meeting.

#BWCRevCon #1972BWC

Russian delegate: "We are not discussing the special operation in Ukraine. Maybe the delegate from Georgia went into the wrong door?"

#BWCRevCon #1972BWC

Georgia is now making a statement about solidarity with Ukraine... and before they can say much, Russia once again interrupts with a point of order.

#BWCRevCon #1972BWC

The chair now says that they rule that states should be sure to follow the rule, but in order to allow states to complete their statements and tie them into the topic, Estonia may continue and finish making their point.

Estonia says it has already finished.

#BWCRevCon #1972BWC

Estonia was speaking about Russian disinformation. Russia is now raising a point of order saying that this is not on the current topic, and per rule 16.2 asked the chair to stop the provocations and unrelated opinions of the Estonian delegation. #BWCRevCon #1972BWC

Tor those interested in following #1972BWC #BWCRevCon Twitter, aside from those hashtags, I have a twitter list which might be helpful: https://twitter.com/davidmanheim/lists/bwcmx-2019
(And if you're here and want to be added to the list, let me know.)

Very excited to be here for @JHSPH_CHS's Global Forum on Scientific Advances Important to the BWC side event here at the #1972BWC Review Conference in Geneva.